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Home » Homeownership » Page 2

Easy Ways to Boost Your Curb Appeal in the Fall

November 18, 2021 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

Easy Ways to Boost Your Curb Appeal in the Fall

You’ll often see tips and tricks to help boost your curb appeal come springtime and summer, however, there is so much you can do to help your home look it’s best even in the Fall and Winter months. As a bonus, many of these home improvements can also help keep your home looking its best all year round- providing a great boost in your curb appeal without the annual upkeep. While planting seasonal color or adding a great wreath and porch décor are indeed great ways to help your house look more like home, try one of these few ideas this Fall to boost your curb appeal well into next summer and beyond.

Easy Ways to Boost Your Curb Appeal in the FallFront Door

Your front door is often a focal point, and thus, can help either boost or diminish your curb appeal. As the weather has cooled down, now is a great time to give your front door a little makeover. Whether you plan on replacing your front door completely, or simply giving it a new coat of paint, this upgrade can be enjoyed for years to come with little to no maintenance required. If you’re hoping to brighten up your home this Fall, try a brightly colored and bold color such as reds blues or even greens and yellows.

Related: The Cheapest, Simplest, and Best Home Improvement

Shutters & Window Coverings

If you have shutters on the exterior of your home, you’d be amazed at how stunning they can look with a good cleaning and a new coat of paint. Whether you plan to touch up your paint in a few areas or add a new pop of color to your shutters, freshly painted shutters are simply beautiful. Another great way to boost your curb appeal is match your shutters to your front door. Likewise, if you have large windows, try adding some new curtains to the inside of your home as often the colors of the curtains can be seen even from outside the house, creating a homey and inviting look.

Outdoor Lights

Another great option to boost your curb appeal and allow for little to no maintenance is to add outdoor lighting. Whether you choose to line the driveway with lights, add outdoor light fixtures to a covered porch, string lights across an outdoor seating area, etc. this will not only illuminate your home after the sun goes down, but will also help limit the risk of theft/burglaries and add a stunning design element to your home.

Related: The Best Decking Materials for Your New Home

If you’re currently searching for a new home, are ready to sell your home and need a qualified and local seller’s agent to assist you, or if you have any further questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

Additional Tips for Homeowners

  • Creating the Perfect Backyard for Fall and Winter
  • When to do Certain Upgrades
  • This One Thing Might Decrease Your Home’s Value
  • Dangers of Laminate Flooring
  • Tips to Keep Your Guest Bathroom Clean
  • Everything You Need to Know About Sunrooms

Filed Under: Homeownership

The Cheapest, Simplest, and Best Home Improvement

July 29, 2021 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

home improvements

There are many home improvements or renovations that homeowners take great pride in accomplishing and while it is common for many homeowners to dream big or envision huge renovations both within and outside of their homes, often the one renovation that can make the biggest difference is quite small and even affordable. Paint. 

It’s no secret that many home improvements can be quite expensive, however, when it comes to painting your home, the upgrade is nearly always quite affordable, allowing for those with even smaller upgrade budgets to enjoy the upgrade. While there are a few variables that could play a role in your cost, such as paint quality as well as any needed materials ranging from painter’s tape to brushes or drip pans, or if you plan to hire painters or do the painting yourself, overall, the total cost to paint a home is quite low, making it an affordable home improvement for many homeowners. 

Related: Pot Fillers, Are They Being Phased Out?

home improvementsWhether you’re hoping to brighten a room, add a pop of color, re-design or even paint the walls the same color they currently are, a fresh coat of paint instantly gives your home new life. From brightening the space, getting crisper and cleaner lines, removing/covering blemishes, or stains, you would be amazed at the instant upgrade that a fresh coat of paint provides. While many home improvements require skilled professionals, another huge perk to painting your home is that many homeowners can take on the project themselves. 

Interior paint is nearly always more affordable than exterior paint due to the longevity and weather proofing needed to withstand the elements, however, if you’re hoping to paint the exterior of your home, make sure to get a high-quality paint that will last and allow your upgrade to last for years to come. Many home improvements require deep pockets, contractor research, and a long span of time to conduct the needed work before the renovation is complete. However, when it comes to painting, a couple hundred bucks and a weekend of elbow grease allows your whole home to be transformed, providing a quick pay off for a small amount of work that is sure to help your home look it’s very best.  

Related: Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

If you’re currently searching for a new home, are ready to sell your home and are in need of a qualified seller’s agent, or if you have any questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time. 

Additional Tips for Homeowners

  • Spring Cleaning
  • When to do Certain Upgrades
  • This One Thing Might Decrease Your Home’s Value
  • Dangers of Laminate Flooring
  • Tips to Keep Your Guest Bathroom Clean
  • 5 End of Summer Home Maintenance Tips

 

Filed Under: Homeownership

Pot Fillers, Are They Being Phased Out?

June 22, 2021 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

kitchen pot filler

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or are upgrading and renovating your home, pot fillers have easily become a common feature among luxurious kitchens. While they do indeed provide a layer of convenience, many buyers as well as homeowners are starting to wonder if they’re more trouble than they’re worth. There truly is only one real pro to installing the extra water source referred to as a pot filler, proximity. Subway tile and pot fillers was once the “go-to” look for those who were hoping to either upgrade or purchase a home with a modern and luxurious kitchen, however, times are changing and the feature is not nearly as coveted or sought-after as it once was.

Related: Are Vaulted Ceilings Worth It?

pot fillerUnless your kitchen is quite expansive, chances are, your sink isn’t too far from your stove, which means that when filling your pots at the sink, you don’t have to go far to arrive at your cooktop. Now, if you make large batches of soup regularly, those few steps of carrying a heavy pot may be a slight inconvenience, however when you actually stop to think about the difference between filling your pots at the sink or at the stove via a pot filler, there isn’t all that much of a difference.

Now, there are a few other reasons why many people are starting to wish they either hadn’t installed the feature or are searching for homes without the “luxury.” Primarily, potential leaks, repairs, and of course, water damage. Water damage is easily one of the most feared forms of damage among homeowners and that is simply due to the potential of mold growth, so naturally, avoiding any extra water features or piping that could cause potential leaks looks appealing to many homeowners and buyers alike.

Related: Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

While the trend exploded in the early 2000’s and continued to gain popularity through 2015, the past few years have shifted as many people started to feel as if the feature caused more harm than good. So, whether the convenience of being able to fill your pots right at your stove top is a feature that you wish to install in your home or not, as with all home features there are pros and cons to each option and ultimately you must decide what would best suit your wants and needs.

If you’re currently searching for a new home, are ready to sell your home and need a qualified seller’s agent, or if you have any questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

 

Additional Tips for Homeowners

  • Spring Cleaning
  • When to do Certain Upgrades
  • This One Thing Might Decrease Your Home’s Value
  • Dangers of Laminate Flooring
  • Tips to Keep Your Guest Bathroom Clean

Filed Under: Homeownership

Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

April 22, 2021 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

renovation mistakes

Unfortunately, renovation mistakes happen, and when they do, it is likely to cost you both financially as well as emotionally as this can often cause an extremely stressful situation. While some mistakes can’t always be foreseen, there a few errors that many homeowners make that are all too common.

Related: The Best Decking Material for Your new Home

Going Over Budget

Simply the easiest and most common renovation mistake is to go over budget. While you may be unable to always plan accordingly, and in some cases, damages during construction/renovation could lead to going over budget, it is important to remember that budgets are there for a reason. If your financial situation allows, it is always a good idea to set a budget below your max as this allows for a little bit of a buffer in case additional funds are needed for unforeseen repairs or damages.

renovationTaking on Too Much

While there is nothing wrong with having a go-getter and do it yourself attitude, sometimes the biggest mistake you can make is not knowing when to ask for help. Some projects may be easier said than done, so make sure to plan your renovation and truly research the work and knowledge needed so you are able to see if you are comfortable taking on the project or if it would be better to hire some extra help.

Starting Without a Complete Plan

If you’ve ever had an idea or vision, it may be hard not to jump the gun and instantly start planning and hit the ground running. Unfortunately, this can lead to a long list of mistakes as well as the need for extremely deep pockets to potentially fix and complete the renovation at hand. Likewise, you may end up extending your timeline tremendously by starting prior to having a full and executed plan as you’ll need additional time to tie up loose ends and decide how to complete the project or even find the necessary materials.

Related: Space Saving Hacks for Small Homes

Ultimately you have to decide what budgets you will set, create a plan of attack, and ensure that you are up for the task at hand. As long as you keep these three things in mind when completing your desired renovations, you can rest assured that you are setting yourself up for success. As mentioned, if you are on the fence and unsure if you are taking on too much work, it is always a good idea to at least explore the idea of hiring a contractor as well as collect a few bids before starting your renovation or next project.

If you’re currently searching for a new home, are ready to sell your home, or if you have any questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

Additional Tips for Homeowners

  • Spring Cleaning
  • When to do Certain Upgrades
  • This One Thing Might Decrease Your Home’s Value
  • Dangers of Laminate Flooring
  • I Just Refinanced, Can I Buy a New House?

Filed Under: Homeownership

The Best Decking Materials for Your New Home

March 23, 2021 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

If you’ve begun the search for a new home, or are looking at updating your current home, one big ticket item that you may be researching is decks. Decks are a huge feature for many homeowners as it allows you to enjoy outdoor space almost as an extension of your home, thus practically adding additional square footage to your living space. While it doesn’t truly add square footage, it helps ensure that you are using both your indoor and outdoor space to its fullest.

Related: How Much Home Can I Afford?

new home pool deckBest Material for Pets

There is nothing worse than seeing scratch marks across your brand-new deck or flooring. Luckily there are options that can hold up to even the toughest pet nails as they chase their balls around the yard. Vinyl decking provides longevity, durability, and is visually appealing as it comes in a large array of colors and styles. With such a vast number of colors to choose from, you can ensure that your vinyl deck fits the exact style you are looking for, whether you want your deck to look like a true wood deck, tile, etc. you can find it all within the vinyl options available.

Best Material for Pools

Contrary to common belief, a pool deck should not be constructed of wood or plastic. While it may look nice and, in some cases, provide longevity, these materials become quite slippery when wet and could lead to accidents or injury. This is why you see concrete pool decks at all public pools; they provide the longevity needed as well as a better grip to help diminish slip risks. Another alternative would be to use concrete pavers to create a more designed pool deck, this will allow for a little more curb appeal, without sacrificing on safety.

Related: House Broke: The Common First Time Buyer Mistake

Best Material for Sun Exposure

The biggest mistake you can make when installing a deck that sees a fair amount of sun is installing a deck that won’t stay cool. There is nothing worse than stepping onto a deck that burns your feet on a hot summer day. Generally plastic and aluminum materials are used for decks that are exposed to high levels of sun as they stay cooler and tend to hold up well to premature sun fading or damage. It is recommended to use a light-colored finish as this will help even more with temperature control.

As with all home improvement projects it is important to assess the cost of the materials, set aside funds for any mishaps or addition supplies that may be needed, and of course plan accordingly for the time needed to complete the project. If you’re searching for a new home and a deck is a must have, make sure to look at the materials used so you are aware of any improvements or repairs that may be needed in order to create your perfect backyard oasis.

If you’re currently searching for a new home, are ready to sell your home and need a qualified seller’s agent, or if you have any questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time.

Schedule a Consultation

Additional Tips for Homeowners

  • Spring Cleaning
  • When to do Certain Upgrades
  • This One Thing Might Decrease Your Home’s Value
  • Dangers of Laminate Flooring
  • I Just Refinanced, Can I Buy a New House?

Filed Under: Homeownership

Spring Cleaning

February 18, 2021 by Karen Baker Leave a Comment

With stay-at-home orders and lockdowns, spring cleaning came early for some, however now that spring is slowly approaching, the true cleaning and organizing is about to begin. Over the past few years there have been a long list of different cleaning hacks and organizational tips that have been released on huge platforms such as Netflix, however there are a few Spring Cleaning hacks that you may want to try to kick off Spring 2021. 

Related: Dangers of Laminate Flooring

spring cleaningSoak Your Towels 

Quite possibly one of the grossest and yet most satisfying deep cleaning hacks is to soak your towels in the bathtub. By filling your bathtub with hot water and then adding in ¼ cup borax, ¼ cup baking soda and ½ cup of laundry detergent you can create a cleaning experience like no other. Once the mixture dissolves completely, simply toss your towels in, let them soak, and you’ll be amazed at the dirt and grime and even soap build up that seeps out of your towels, leaving them cleaner than ever. You want to let them sit until the water is completely cooled, this should take a few hours.

Clean the Flatware 

While not everyone uses true silverware anymore, if you do, silver can tarnish quite easily which can make your silverware look dirty even when it is “clean.” If you have true silver flatware, then try soaking them in a mixture of warm water, white vinegar and baking soda to give them a nice new shine and eliminate any tarnish that has built up over the years. Start with ½ cup of white vinegar and 2 Tablespoons of baking soda and enough water to cover the silverware in a flat single layered row. We recommend using a disposable aluminum container during cleaning.

Related: Space Saving Hacks for Small Homes

Freshen up the Cupboards

One area that seems to be overlooked often is the faces of cupboards. This includes both upper and lower cupboards in kitchens as well as bathrooms or laundry rooms. Whether you simply give them a good scrub and wipe down or choose to sand and re-paint or stain, brightening up and cleaning your cupboards is an easy way to instantly have your home feel cleaner and brighter.

Empty the Light Fixtures

There is nothing worse than turning on a light and seeing the dreaded body of a fly stuck within the fixture. Unfortunately, it happens, and you can’t necessarily avoid it, however, by taking the time to clean out your fixtures during your Spring Cleaning you are not only cleaning out any dust and debris that has accumulated, but also getting rid of any critters that may have found their way into the light. 

Whether you already went through your home and did light cleaning or are looking for some new cleaning trends to try, keeping your home clean and tidy is a great way to protect your investment and ensure that you can continue to gain equity should you choose to sell your home later down the line. 

If you’re currently searching for a new home, are ready to sell your home, or have any questions regarding Carolina Real Estate, please feel free to contact our office at any time. 

 

Additional Tips for Homeowners

  • Buying a Vacation Home
  • Two Things Your Can’t See in a Virtual Tour
  • Should we Buy or Rent?
  • Why Was my Offer Rejected?
  • 5 Unique Ways to Use a Detached Garage

 

Filed Under: Homeownership

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What our clients say

Ken and Linda Foltz

“Life will lead you to where you belong. Five years ago life led me to meeting Karen Baker at an...
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
2015-03-16T20:16:32+00:00
“Life will lead you to where you belong. Five years ago life led me to meeting Karen Baker at an Open House. Our relationship continues as Karen and her husband Frank have been outstanding not only in helping my husband and I find the right retirement relocation home, but we have watched their commitment in helping many others find their homes. She and Frank treat every client as if they are the only ones that exist. They provide thorough research of areas and homes of interest and present you with the options. They are not your typical hard sell, must-buy-now realtors. They are here to help you find your next home?. You won’t go wrong with the Bakers!
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Steve & Jean DeVito

“The Bakers treated us like family during our whirlwind weekend of looking at houses. Prior to our on-site visit to...
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
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“The Bakers treated us like family during our whirlwind weekend of looking at houses. Prior to our on-site visit to Sunset Beach they created a portal and populated it with properties that met our ever-evolving criteria. By time we arrived we had a good feel for what we could afford and what was available that met our criteria. The Bakers, especially Karen, were able to make sense of what we thought we were looking for and eventually matched us with a house that we ended up purchasing — Karen called it the “This is it” house and she was right. We are loving our 2nd home and appreciate how painless Karen and Frank made the process. All the paperwork was done seamlessly and quickly and the closing went off without a hitch. The Bakers do not believe in the hard sell — they gave us the knowledge we needed and the guidance we needed to make our dream a reality.”
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Matt & Amy Carver

Amy and I have bought and sold four properties in the past twelve years. Both of you are the best...
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
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Amy and I have bought and sold four properties in the past twelve years. Both of you are the best realtors we have ever dealt with. Amy and I both felt we could trust you to look out for our interest. The level of service you provided was outstanding, from taking the trash out, helping the buyer with inspecting the irrigation system, dealing with our tenants, always being there if we needed to ask a question, providing constant updates on the market and always keeping us informed on the sale of our house. I think your next venture should be training other realtors, because both of you have mastered the art of providing excellent service. I will be sure to recommend the Frank and Karen team to anybody looking for a trust worthy, knowledgeable and top performing realtor. It was a pleasure working with both of you.”
https://sunsetbeachandbeyond.com/testimonials/matt-amy-carver/

Ernie & Carol G.

“Karen & Frank Baker are the best. They are very knowledgeable with the area & showed us many homes. When...
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
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“Karen & Frank Baker are the best. They are very knowledgeable with the area & showed us many homes. When we made up our minds which one we wanted, they got us the best deal on it. We were very satisfided with them. After the purchased was made & we moved in, they were still there to answer any questions or problems that we might of had. Like I said, they are the BEST.”
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“Thanks again for all the time you spent with us, As overwhelming as it was, you two made it fun”
Sunset Beach and Beyond Realty
2015-03-16T20:19:23+00:00
“Thanks again for all the time you spent with us, As overwhelming as it was, you two made it fun”
https://sunsetbeachandbeyond.com/testimonials/dave-rose/
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